Articles from 2008

Traffic Stopper
SMH - Drive Life | June 27, 2008

What was your first car? The first car I ever drove was a Kia, which was my family’s car. But the first car I actually purchased was only a couple of months ago and that’s a little Mercedes A160, which is what I’m driving around at the moment. It was kind of a spur-of-the-moment decision. I went to look at cars and came home with one. I didn’t think I’d buy one on the first day. I just thought it was really cute. It’s black, it’s got a sunroof and it’s got a good stereo too, which is good.
What’s your ideal car? I think maybe the next car I’d want to get is a BMW X5. I like being up. Because I’m so short I like a four-wheel-drivey kind of feel. But it’s not going to happen any time soon.
How long have you been driving now? I’m on my green P’s, so I’m just about to go and get my full licence.
Have you been driving long enough to develop a pet road peeve? My problem is that I kind of learnt to drive in LA. I spent the first six months of my driving life living there, so I learned to drive on the other side of the road. Also, everyone moves so quickly there. I guess my pet peeve here is when people ride the brakes and also stop right up the back of you.
Isn’t driving in LA like a near-death experience? I guess most people think it is. But I love driving over there. I find I’m more comfortable driving on the other side of the road than I am here.
In a traffic jam: patient or impatient? Very impatient. The traffic just seems to be getting worse in Sydney, so it’s quite frustrating. It takes up a lot of your time in the day that could be productive.
Do you have a favourite driving song? At the moment I’m loving Don’t Stop The Music [by Rhianna].
Do you have a favourite drive? I find I go on automatic pilot quite a bit, especially driving to my new dance studio. I spend so much time driving from home to the studio, sometimes three or four times a day, so that’s my time to be by myself and listen to music and escape.
Are you sponsored by a car company? I’m not. Can you hook me up?

Owen Thompson

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